Top Stories

February 19, 2001

P-B-T board race first to get

filings for May election

By ROSIE FLORESStaff Writer

PECOS, February 19, 2001 - Two individuals have already
filed for a position on the ballot for the May 5 elections for Pecos-Barstow-Toyah
ISD board, on the first day to file.The first day to accept applications for a place on the
ballot in school, city and hospital district elections is today, and will
continue through March 21.In the school board election, three three-year terms
are up for election along with an unexpired term currently being served
by Paul Deishler.Deishler, who was appointed last year to replace Frank
Apolinar, Jr., on the board, has filed for one of the three-year term along
with one of the three incumbents, Brent Shaw.Positions on the board, which will be voted on May 5,
include those currently being held by Shaw, Earl Bates and Louis Matta,
who is president of the board.In the Town of Pecos City election, three council seats
are up for election, and as of the first few hours in which filing has
been open, there have been no candidates who have signed up. Seats up for
election this year are held by Gerald Tellez, Larry Levario and Johnny
Terrazas.In the Reeves County Hospital Board election, only voters
in Precincts 2 and 4 will be casting ballots this year. No one had filed
as of late this morning for either of those seats, which are held by Maricella
Lovett and Holly Key.Council seats also will be open on May 5 in the Balmorhea,
Barstow and Toyah city elections, along with the Balmorhea ISD election.If there are no opposed candidates, along with no propositions
and no vacancies to be filled by special election in the various city,
school and hospital board races, the election may be canceled anytime after
this date.The last day a person may register to vote in the local
elections is April 5. Early voting by personal appearance will be April
27 through May 1. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., on Election
Day, May 5.

Accident east of Pecos sends seven to hospital

By LEIA HOLLANDStaff Writer

PECOS, February 19, 2001 - A two-vehicle accident in Ward
County sent seven people to Reeves County Hospital Sunday night.According to the Department of Public Safety, the accident
occured at the intersection of Business 20 and County Road 170, at the
entrance to Tree City, midway between Pecos and Barstow. Monahans DPS Trooper
Eric White said that a 1981 Ford Granada driven by Delia Abila, 40, of
Pecos, pulled in front of a 1992 gold Chevrolet van driven by Lorenzo Guzman,
40, of Hobbs, N.M."Ms. Abila was attempting to make a turn and the van
driven by Mr. Guzman hit the Ford on the driver's side," he said.White said that both vehicles were traveling east when
the accident occurred with Abila turning in front of the van from the shoulder.It is unsure whether or not Abila was wearing a seat
belt at the time of the accident.Guzman had six passengers in his van including Dolores
Guzman, 37, and their children, Olivia, 10, Claudia, 1, Elias, 5, Victoria,
7, and Lorenzo, Jr., 11, all of Hobbs.All occupants of the van were wearing seat belts, according
to White."Everybody except the driver was transported to Reeves
County Hospital with minor injuries," he said.Abila had to be extracted from her vehicle by the Pecos
Volunteer Firemen before being transported to the hospital with head injuries
and lacerations."Everybody was pretty fortunate," White said.White said that alcohol was a factor in the accident.Pecos Emergency Medical Services personnel, the Pecos
Volunteer Fire Department, Pecos Highway Patrol and the Reeves County Sheriff's
Department responded to the call along with the Sheriff's Department from
Ward County and the Highway Patrol from Monahans.Although the accident happened three miles east of Pecos,
the DPS said the 911 call about the accident was relayed to them from Andrews
County.The accident is still under investigation at this time
by White.

Shortage increases urgency of

next week's blood drive

By ROSIE FLORESStaff Writer

PECOS, February 19, 2001 - Residents of Pecos and surrounding
areas are invited to participate in Pecos High School's annual Spring Blood
Drive new week, to help local hospital patients.The blood drive, which is sponsored by the National Honor
Society, is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 28,
at the high school new gym.Blood donations have been off significantly this winter
because snow and ice storms have deterred people from donating blood and
many donors have been sick with colds and the flu. When blood donations
are so low while usage is expected to remain high or even increase, the
potential for a serious situation exists.The need for blood increases after the holiday season
but blood donations do not increase to meet the daily needs. Officials
said the blood drive at the Pecos High School will improve the blood supply,
which has fallen to dangerously low levels."We rely heavily on high school blood drives to help
increase donations after the holiday season," said Lee Patrick, associate
executive director for United Blood Services. "We appreciate the wonderful
support we have had from the donors in Pecos and surrounding areas, and
we are hoping to see between 90 and 100 donors at the drive."The beginning of the year is typically a difficult time
to maintain an adequate blood supply, as people are slow to return to their
normal activities after weeks of celebrating the holiday season and ringing
in the New Year.Donor requirements for whole blood donations are simple;
you must be at least 17 years old, weight at lsat 110 pounds, in good health
and must have a valid I.D. such as driver's license, school I.D., or social
security card. If you are on any medications, bring the name of the medication
with you.For more information on donating blood, contact United
Blood Services at 915-561-5539 or 1-800-371-5539.A T-Shirt will be awarded to all donors, along with cookies
and juice.

Museum, longtime residents help

keep local history alive

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a continuing series
of features on historical locations in Pecos region

By The Ghost Writer

PECOS, February 19, 2001 - The Ghost Writer, being a modest
and fair person, would like to give credit to his sources for the weekly
articles. First, the West of the Pecos Museum has maintained the local
newspapers back to 1911 and they are glad for me to look at them as long
as I try to not damage them. The paper is very old and easily damaged.
They permit me to take the books to the saloon and use one of the round
tables that were used to serve customers in the old days. Many a Museum
visitor has been startled when I move as they think that I am just another
dummy as the one behind the bar. I may have to buy some more modern clothes.The other help source is the group of old men with whom
I converse about these stories. Some had their beginnings in Pecos and
all are retired. We sit around and talk of the "good old days" and other
things. Years ago, we talked of our romantic achievements, and later how
well we did financially and now we talk about our morning bowel movements.
They say a sign of old age is when you can't remember a name and keep looking
for a bathroom. That fits us pretty well.We come up with a subject that might interest the younger
readers and the conversation always has a few "what was his name? I'll
think of it in a minute." Then, two or three will have to rush to the bathroom,
if you, like we, think that shuffling, six -inch steps is rushing. We will
suddenly realize that we are short a person and we have to go to the bathroom
and help him up. Another problem we have is not remembering what has been
written.So-if you appreciate these weekly articles, when you
see an old man in the store, pat him on the head, gently or you will be
picking his dentures from the floor, and thank him. He could be one of
our group.

Cook receives delayed honor as

P-B-T Teacher of the Year

By ROSIE FLORESStaff Writer

PECOS, February 19, 2001 - Priscilla Cook was unable to
accept her award as the Pecos Chamber of Commerce's Teacher of the Year
during the Chamber's annual awards banquet held at the beginning of the
month, but is excited about the distinctive award."As a small child I had always wanted to become a teacher,"
said Cook, who had to travel to Lubbock the night of the awards banquet
on Feb. 3 after her mother was injured in an automobile accident south
of Pecos earlier in the day.She was able to pick up the award after returning to
Pecos the following week, and said winning the honor came as a very pleasant
surprise."I admired not one teacher in particular, but I admired
them all," said Cook. "They were all superb and had the desire to teach
me everything I needed to know," she said.Cook said that the teachers' creativity, desire and energy
inspired her to want to become a teacher.Cook was born in Pecos and attended school from kindergarten
through high school in the Balmorhea Independent School District. As a
senior in high school, she was at the top of her class and was named Valedictorian.
After graduation, she her attended Sul Ross State University in Alpine,
where she received her degree in Education.While attending Sul Ross, she was nominated for Who's
Who, was a cheerleader for the Lobo Football Team and played on the Lobo
Tennis Team. "This, in itself, shows how much energy I have to strive to
reach my goals," she said."My first year of teaching was a blessing," said Cook.
"I had the perfect class, one every teacher dreams of."Cook said that she believes the Lord blessed her with
this class, to prove to her that she had made the right career choice.
"From then on, I have truly enjoyed every teaching year," she said."As I reflect back over the seven years, I cannot express
the joy it has been to watch each child learn and be successful," said
Cook."There are several reasons why I feel like I have been
successful with the children in my class," she said. One, Cook said, "is
because I show them I care and I love them so. I help each child bloom."Another is, "Because I make my lessons exciting, interesting,
and very creative; making the children want to learn more," said Cook."Finally, I believe my success has come from caring parents.
I involve the parents in their child's education as much as possible,"
said Cook. "I welcome parents into the classroom at any time, and I believe
success comes from caring teachers, caring parents, and caring students,"
she said.Cook said she has no regrets pursuing a degree in Education.
"I do know that I have a heavy responsibility to teach each child and help
them learn. I hold their future in my hands and I understand that I have
to help them become productive citizens for our community," she said.Cook's educational history includes, as a first grade
teacher, a position she currently holds; first grade Reading Academy Teacher
this past spring; fourth grade teacher, from 1989-1999; Director of a day
care in Ozona, Accelerated Reader Coordinator, Crockett County Common Consolidated
School District, Ozona; first grade teacher, 1994-1996 and student teacher
in 1994.While not busy with her students and school items Cook
also volunteers in the community by spearheading several projects including
as 2000 Golden Girl Chairman; 1999 Golden Girl Co-Chairman and being involved
in projects such as the Community Trash Off; Delta Kappa Gamma; Little
Dribblers; Relay for Life; Jump Rope for Heart; The Heart Walk; Christmas
Parade and Homecoming Parade.Other nominees for the prestigious award were, Norma
Jean Redwine, Catherine Blassingame Allen, Alice Wein, Martha Sitton Ricketson,
Becky Chabarria and Priss McNutt.

Sheriff's posse holiding meeting

on BBQ cookoff

PECOS, February 19, 2001 - Reeves County Sheriff's Posse
members will be handling the Annual Barbecue Cook-Off scheduled as part
of the Reeves County Fall Fair, and are looking for new ideas.The group will be having an "input" meeting at 7 p.m.,
today at the Sheriff's Posse Barn and is asking everyone that would like
to participate, or has participated in past events to join them to share
ideas for the upcoming event.A lack of entries last year forced cancellation of the
cookoff for the first time in 28 years. Anyone that would like to give
their ideas and input on helping to revive the cookoff, needs to join the
posse members tonight.

Obituaries

Weather

PECOS, February 19, 2001 - High Sunday 67. Low this morning
39. Forecast for tonight: Partly cloudy. Low near 0. Southwest wind 5 to
15 mph. Tuesday: Mostly sunny and continued unseasonably warm. High near
80. West to southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Tuesday night: Increasing cloudiness
late. Low in the lower 40s. Wednesday: Cloudy and cooler with a slight
chance of rain. High in the upper 50s. Thursday: Mostly cloudy with a slight
chance of rain. Low in the lower 30s. High in the mid 50s.